Pompeii to Pinups

This Wednesday, the World Erotic Art Museum will present proof that time travel is possible. It will take us back to sixth-century B.C. Pompeii, a city that prospered before tragically meeting its volcanic doom. Then the work leaps forward to the days of the pinup and the milky-white curves of Marilyn Monroe.
We will display slide shows of ancient art from Pompeii, erotic art prints, and sculptures, WEAM founder Naomi Wilzig promises. I will display some replicas from my own collection  bronze statues and paintings (originals are now at the Naples National Archaeological Museum in Italy). Along with Jon Hul, a contemporary artist from Las Vegas, she has put together a wonderful exhibit, From Pompeii to Pin-Up. Hul will present a collection of his original artworks both in black-and-white and in color, as well as an array of limited-edition prints including pieces of Monroe and the queen of all pinups, Bettie Page.
What do an ash-buried city and 50s beauties have in common? The answer is simple: sex and art. During excavations, Pompeii was found to be full of erotic art and frescoes, symbols, and inscriptions considered to be just a tad pornographic. From Pompeii to Pin-Up opens this Wednesday and runs through January 9, allowing plenty of time to witness the cultural importance of sex in ancient and modern times.
Mondays-Sundays, 11 a.m. Starts: Dec. 1. Continues through Jan. 9, 2010

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